Ghosts

'Ere Dawn broke, and rosy finger'd

Stroked the sculpture of his face,

Lost was I in thoughts that linger

In this dark and dismal space.

Time hath stained me with compassion

Yet I hardly can adore

How in a Plutonian fashion

Enter lost loves from before.

Enter Mem'ry, enter fellows,

O ye violents, O ye liars

Midst the broken-bonèd bellows

Of my self-worth on the pyre!

Speak of nights I still abhor

Or raise your sickly face to flame

That age-old wounds still scream in horror

At the mention of thy name!

Send me swimming in confusion

With your practiced honeyed-speech

Linking horror to illusion

That my youth you still can leech!

Lie to me now, screaming specters

That you earn your hateful keep!

Tears to alm you dream-infectors!

I cannot sleep! I cannot sleep!